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Navigating the Impacts of the ELD Mandate on the Trucking Industry

Posted on March 9, 2023 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

The implementation of the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate has brought significant changes to the trucking industry. This article explores the impacts of the ELD Mandate, focusing on its implementation in the United States. Additionally, it compares the ELD regulations between the United States and Canada, highlighting differences in hours of service (HOS) regulations, technical specifications, device certification, and data transfer requirements.

Furthermore, it delves into the compliance and enforcement procedures established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States, along with the penalties for non-compliance.

Overview of the ELD Mandate Rollout in the United States:

The ELD Mandate, introduced by the FMCSA, requires commercial motor vehicle operators to use electronic logging devices to track and record their hours of service. This section provides an overview of the ELD Mandate’s implementation process, including key milestones and the timeline for compliance.

Comparison of Canadian and American ELD Mandate Regulations:

While the United States and Canada share similarities in their trucking industries, there are notable differences in their ELD regulations. This section explores the variations between the two countries, focusing on HOS regulations, technical specifications, device certification, and data transfer and storage requirements. By understanding these distinctions, trucking companies can navigate cross-border operations more effectively.

Differences in Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations:

The ELD Mandate has specific rules regarding drivers’ working hours and rest periods. This subsection highlights the differences in HOS regulations between the United States and Canada, such as maximum driving hours, mandatory break periods, and off-duty requirements.

Variations in Technical Specifications and Device Certification:

ELDs need to meet certain technical specifications and be certified for compliance. This subsection examines the divergences in technical requirements and certification processes for ELDs in the United States and Canada, considering factors like data accuracy, synchronization, and device compatibility.

Distinct Data Transfer and Storage Requirements:

The transfer and storage of electronic logs are crucial aspects of the ELD Mandate. This subsection explores the contrasting data transfer methods and storage requirements in the United States and Canada. It discusses the accepted formats for data transfer, retention periods, and accessibility for authorized personnel.

ELD Mandate Compliance and Enforcement Procedures in the United States:

Ensuring compliance with the ELD Mandate is essential for trucking companies operating in the United States. This section outlines the guidelines established by the FMCSA to ensure adherence to ELD regulations and mitigate non-compliance risks.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Guidelines:

The FMCSA has provided guidelines and resources to assist motor carriers and drivers in complying with the ELD Mandate. This subsection highlights the key guidelines and recommendations, including the proper use of ELDs, training requirements, and recordkeeping obligations.

ELD Mandate Penalties for Non-compliance:

Non-compliance with the ELD Mandate can result in penalties and sanctions. This subsection explores the potential consequences of non-compliance, such as fines, out-of-service orders, and negative safety ratings. It also discusses strategies to avoid penalties and maintain compliance.

The ELD Mandate has significantly impacted the trucking industry, particularly in the United States. By understanding the ELD regulations, differences between the United States and Canada, and compliance and enforcement procedures, trucking companies can adapt to the changes effectively, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize their operations in an increasingly digitized environment.

Exemptions, Benefits, and Impacts on the Trucking Industry

The ELD Mandate has reshaped the trucking industry by introducing electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track and record hours of service (HOS). This article explores two key aspects of the ELD Mandate: exemptions and exceptions to the mandate, and the benefits it brings to the industry. Additionally, it examines the profound impacts of the ELD Mandate, ranging from improved road safety and enhanced driver health to streamlined operations and increased productivity.

I. Exemptions and Exceptions to the Mandate:

While the ELD Mandate applies to most commercial motor vehicle operators, there are specific exemptions and exceptions that warrant consideration. This section delves into the various categories of exemptions and exceptions, providing insights into situations where certain vehicles or drivers may be exempt from using ELDs.

A. Exemptions:

Short-haul Exemption: This subsection explores the exemption for drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius and who meet specific criteria regarding duration and frequency of their operations.
Driveaway-Towaway Exemption: This subsection explains the exemption for drivers involved in the transport of vehicles where the truck being driven is the commodity being delivered.
Pre-2000 Model Year Exemption: This subsection discusses the exemption for commercial motor vehicles with engine model years predating 2000.

B. Exceptions:

Personal Conveyance Exception: This subsection delves into the personal conveyance exception, which allows drivers to operate their commercial vehicles for personal purposes without it counting against their HOS limits.
Yard Move Exception: This subsection explores the yard move exception, which permits drivers to move their vehicles on private property for short distances without switching to on-duty status.

II. Benefits of the ELD Mandate:

The ELD Mandate brings forth a range of benefits for the trucking industry, positively impacting various aspects. This section highlights the advantages that arise from the implementation of ELDs.

A. Improved Road Safety and Reduced Accidents:

By accurately tracking and monitoring HOS, ELDs contribute to enhanced road safety. This subsection explores how ELDs help prevent driver fatigue, reduce instances of HOS violations, and improve compliance with road safety regulations.

B. Enhanced Driver Health and Well-being:

ELDs play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of drivers. This subsection discusses how ELDs contribute to better work-life balance, more predictable schedules, reduced stress, and improved overall driver health.

C. Streamlined Operations and Increased Productivity:

The implementation of ELDs leads to streamlined operations and increased productivity for trucking companies. This subsection explores how ELDs facilitate efficient dispatching, accurate tracking of vehicle locations, automated recordkeeping, and improved communication between drivers and fleet managers.

The ELD Mandate has transformed the trucking industry, bringing exemptions and exceptions to accommodate specific scenarios. Additionally, it offers numerous benefits, including improved road safety, enhanced driver health and well-being, and streamlined operations leading to increased productivity. By understanding these exemptions, exceptions, and benefits, trucking companies can navigate the ELD Mandate effectively, capitalize on its advantages, and foster a safer and more efficient industry landscape.

Effective Fleet Management: Strategies and Implementation

Posted on December 22, 2022 | by Alexis | Leave a Comment

Rich in features, applications, and benefits, fleet management tools are assets in today’s transport industry. In this article, we’ll explain them in detail – from the technology behind them to modern-day applications that keep your fleet running efficiently and cost-effectively.

Defining Fleet Management

Fleet management is the process of managing a company’s commercial vehicles. This includes everything from purchasing and servicing vehicles to scheduling preventive maintenance, tracking fuel consumption and more.

Fleet management also includes tracking a vehicle’s usage and performance data to ensure that it’s being used responsibly and efficiently. This data can help fleet managers make informed decisions about upgrading or replacing vehicles, as well as how to maximize cost savings and enforce environmental sustainability.

How Do Fleet Management Systems Work?

Fleet management systems operate through the use of connected sensors, trackers, and satellites that relay information to one another, and ultimately send collected data to a main administrative hub.

These systems leverage a combination of technologies, including GPS and on-board diagnostics (OBD), to build a comprehensive picture of a vehicle’s movements and status in real-time.

What Fleet Management Systems Do – Main Functions and Features

The technology behind fleet management tools make them capable of performing a wide range of functions. Below are some of the most common features on the market today.

GPS Vehicle Tracking

Fleet management systems use GPS technology to pinpoint and log an asset’s geographical location on a map. They can also track the speed of a vehicle, as well as its route and total distance traveled.

Fleet managers can use this data to identify where assets are at a given moment, as well as how they’re being used and by whom. Furthermore, fleet management allows managers to use predictive data to find alternative routes for improved efficiency.

Real-Time Alerts

Real-time alerts are sent to stakeholders when specific events are triggered. Triggers might include speeding, tailgating, harsh braking or straying from an assigned route; alerts can then be sent to the driver, fleet manager, or other authorized personnel.

Vehicle Diagnostics

Vehicle diagnostics allow fleet managers to monitor the performance of their vehicles in real-time. This includes monitoring fuel and oil levels, tire pressure, engine temperature, battery health and more.

Having access to these data sets in real-time allows fleet managers to reduce fuel costs, maintain engine health, and identify potential issues before they become more serious.

Driver Behaviour Analysis

This feature allows companies to monitor driving habits, such as how often drivers accelerate, brake hard, exceed the speed limit, or idle. Monitoring this information enables managers to address any gaps in training and ensure their staff are safe on the road.

Route Planning

When it comes to transport, route congestion can make or break a delivery. Fleet management systems use real-time traffic data to find the most efficient routes for assets, saving fuel, wear and tear, and time in the process.

Fuel Management

Many fleet management systems come with fuel tracking features, which allow companies to manage how much fuel each vehicle has consumed. This type of data is invaluable for optimizing routes and ensuring that assets are being used efficiently.

The Prevalence of Fleet Management Systems On Today’s Roads

The numerous features, capabilities and benefits of management tools have made them a hot commodity among fleets big and small.

Recent data from Government Fleet’s annual benchmarking survey estimates that over three-quarters of managers use fleet tracking software or telematics to support at least some of their day-to-day operations.

As technology continues to evolve and landscapes become more competitive, this number is expected to increase. Economic data valued the global fleet management market at $19.47 billion in 2020, and projects that it will double to $52.50 billion by 2030.

The Benefits of Fleet Management

These tools are popular for a reason; these tools offer amazing benefits:

Increased efficiency in managing fleets of all sizes
Optimization of supply chains and delivery times
Reduced fuel costs due to route management
Real-time visibility of vehicles and their locations
Monitoring of driver behaviour to increase safety
Maintenance scheduling to avoid potential costly repairs
Improved customer service by providing accurate ETAs
Automation of administrative processes such as invoicing, hours of service (HOS) and route planning

The impact is clear – management tools are a must for any competitive fleet. Not only do these solutions provide unparalleled visibility and control, they also encourage considerable cost savings, improved customer service and a safer work environment.

With the global fleet management market expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, now is the best time to invest in a robust system for your fleet’s future. Contact your GoFleet consultant today to learn how to stay ahead of the curve.

fleet, electronic logging device, eld mandate

What You Need to Know Before Purchasing an Electronic Logging Device

Posted on May 5, 2021 | by Victoria Gole | Leave a Comment

Fleet management may look like an easy process at first glance. However, individuals who are working in this industry can testify that it is much more complex than it may seem. Fleet management systems are composed of information about all the aspects of an entire fleet within one specialized database system. The same goes for documents for meeting with fleet compliance. Fortunately, electronic logging solutions can ease this complexity.

Moreover, purchasing an Electronic Logging Device or ELD solution is an imperative decision. Not only that it will help your fleet be FMCSA compliant but it also offers different features to make your operations easier. On top of that, it will allow business to maximize profits.

However, there are so many ELD providers that you can find right now, making it difficult to choose the right one. That said, it is important for you to first understand the aspects that an excellent ELD provider must possess.

The Things You Need to Know Before Purchasing an ELD Solution

An Electronic Logging Device is a digital solution that allows commercial motor carriers and professional truck drivers to track the HOS or Hours of Service compliance. It is attached into the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port of the vehicle. This way, the device can record the vehicle’s data. That includes the speed, location, number of miles driven, and more.

There are basically two ELD types. The first one is a fixed unit or one that stays in the fleet. Meanwhile, the second one is called BYODs – short for Bring Your Own device.

The latter can be a simple app installed in the driver’s phone. Moreover, a fixed ELD should be installed by a professional as it is hard wired.

Moreover, the main benefit of a fixed ELD is that the user is less likely to lose or damage it. Additionally, hard wired systems provides better control over the users’ data. They are also more straightforward in terms of maintenance since they are homogenous.

On the other hand, a BYOD ELD is a system that lets user bring their own device and install the ELD system app there. It works by connected the device, a smartphone, for instance, to the Electronic Control Module or ECM via a dongle through the cab’s onboard diagnostic port. The dongle will be responsible for connecting and transmitting data to the smartphone using Bluetooth. There are also BYOD ELDs that rely on the phone’s data plan in order to work.

Furthermore, regardless of the ELD type you will choose, one thing that you need to ensure is its certification on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA’s list of ELDs.

The ELD Mandate

ELDs work by recording data about a vehicle’s operation and its driver’s activity. The recorded information about the driver is mostly about the hours of service. HOS consist of a permanent record of driving hours, rest time, and on-duty hours within the entire trip. Notably, on-duty hours is the time the driver is working but not driving.

Recording this data is important because commercial drivers have a maximum time restriction in the number of hours that they can drive between rest periods.

In 1937, the federal law mandated commercial drivers to keep their service logbooks. Back then, they mainly used logbooks and information were manually written. This method was then replaced by the ELD mandate. This regulation specifies that commercial drivers need to use electronic logging devices.

Moreover, the usage of ELDs for trucks in Canada is set to become a requirement for professional drivers by the 12th of June 2021. Doing this will improve the driver’s road safety as well as save the trucking companies’ time and resources.

The main reason why ELDs are required to be fitted to all commercial trucks in Canada is to ensure that both the drivers and the transportation companies are abiding by the Federal laws. This new law is an assurance that logging devices are meeting the uniform technical standards for the information below:

Data sharing to make sure that all ELD systems are using standardized format
Logbook edits that will allow drivers to certify the Record of Duty Status or RODS and make necessary edits.
Collection of data as a way to provide information such as engine data, motion status, and location.
Drive duty status to permit special driving conditions.
Drive alerts that will notify drivers when it is time to pull out so they can avoid violating the HOS rules.

That being said, companies that are planning to purchase ELDs should make sure that their chosen system is complying with the FMCSA. This way, they can ease themselves by knowing that they are not violating the ELD law.

Who Will be Affected By The Canadian ELD Mandate?

The Canadian ELD Mandate will affect trucks, tractors, trailers or any combination of the three that has a registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 4,500 kg or a bus that is designed and constructed to have a designated seating capacity of more than 10 persons, including the driver.

This mandate will impact fleets in all industries. For a complete list of who is required to comply, fleets are recommended to review Transport Canada or the Ministry of Transportation requirements available online.

Canada’s ELD Mandate is Near – What are the Next Steps?

Since Canada’s ELD Mandate is quickly approaching, there are 3 important steps to take before June 12th.

1. How will your fleet be impacted?

You must review the regulations outlined in the Canadian ELD Mandate to not only confirm whether your operations will be impacted, but how your operations will need to prepare. This can be done by reviewing information released by Transport Canada or the Ministry of Transportation about the requirements.

2. Ensure that you are subjected to the Mandate by verifying that the right hardware and software solutions are installed.

While much of the hardware and software components required to remain compliant to the upcoming mandate is likely already in place for most fleets, teams should confirm and verify this. Installations or testing can often fall through the cracks and leave teams at risk. If solutions are already in place, each driver should confirm that their device is properly configured and is collecting the right data related to their assigned routes.

3. Confirm that your team is properly trained on the regulation changes.

Checking the hardware and software setup of electronic logging devices also requires team members to be trained on the materials. Whether this is how to display hours-of-service while on the road understanding new rules or time off requirements – proper research on regulation changes should never be overlooked. Fleets are recommended to review Transport Canada or the Ministry of Transportation requirements available online.

If your fleet is impacted by the Canadian ELD Mandate and you require electronic logging devices or solutions to help remain compliant, contact us today. Our team is trained to help carriers in all industries abide to regulations.

Questions To Ask Before Buying ELD Solutions

Posted on March 31, 2020 | by Anna | Leave a Comment

As the deadline to be ELD compliant is looming closer (or as already passed), it’s important that every fleet manager researches what electronic logging device will work best for them. As many fleets could still be operating without such devices, it’s only a matter of time before drivers are asked to show hours of service without using paperlogs. Prior to discussing the important questions that fleet managers should ask when buying ELD solutions, it’s important to understand how buying the right (or wrong) device could affect your fleet and why you need to be ELD compliant.

What Is The ELD Mandate?

The ELD Mandate is a regulation which focuses on the amount of travelling a commercial motor vehicle operator has and can complete. Specifically, it focuses on limiting the amount of driving to a pre-set and pre-determined ‘safe duration’ to ensure that drivers are not overworking themselves to complete more deliveries or routes. This stems from the concern that more driving incidents, accidents or poor judgement calls typically happen when drivers behind the wheel are tired because they have not had enough rest on the clock or between shifts. In order to complete this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) began to move towards electronic devices (ELDs). ELDs are devices which record the driving time and hours-of-service (HOS) of a driver via telematics and IoT innovation. This is possible as the device typically has a plug-and-play feature which allows it to be installed into nearly any vehicle to immediately start to monitor the engine and whether it is running. However, as every fleet is different, it’s important to perform your own research in regards to your specific fleet size and location with up-to-date information to ensure that you are compliant at all times.

What Are The Deadlines?

In America, most fleets were required to make the switch in December 2017. However, American transport companies that were utilizing automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) prior to December 2017, were provided with a different compliance date of December 2019. Canada on the other hand, is required to be ELD compliant by June 2021.

What Benefits Can Fleets Expect To Notice After Becoming Compliant?

Apart from being compliant and limiting the fines or penalties could receive, it’s important to learn about the additional benefits that come from being ELD compliant. In some cases, fleet managers may find that they are not only able to better organize their efforts, but can see financial improvements happen. The following are some benefits that managers can expect to notice once their fleet is ELD compliant:

Increased accuracy with administrative tasks as the devices automatically record and log information
Improved fuel use as idling can be monitored and addressed
Better vehicle diagnostics as engine fault codes can be detected quickly with ease
Improved location tracking of assets and route management as ELDs automatically gather information about where the device is
Improved identification of poor driving behaviours for each driver (that can later be addressed in training modules or employee reviews)
Increased safety as there is less of a risk of drivers operating the motor vehicle if they are overworked and tired
Improved Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores as the device can help ensure that you are meeting strict standards

Interested in viewing what electronic logging devices GoFleet can offer you?

However, with so many options to look at and so many details to review, we understand that sometimes becoming ELD compliant can be overwhelming. That’s why we compiled a list of questions that should be asked when inquiring about ELD Solutions.

Read our top 7 questions to keep in mind before buying ELD solutions below!

1. “Will the same device work in any type of vehicle?”

When you’re speaking with a solutions provider or buying ELD solutions, it’s important that you discuss in-depth your current needs and how your fleet could change (or how you would like it to change) in the future. Specifically, mentioning information like what class of vehicles are or will be used (ie. makes, models and fuel type), the size of your fleet, and your current struggles of fleet management in relation to driver and workload monitoring.

All of this information can better help your ELD provider supply devices that are compatible now and in the future.

2. “What is the installation procedure for ELD solutions and how long does it take?”

To fully understand the installation process, it’s important that you inquire not only about how easy the ELD solutions will be to install, but what the failure rates are in addition to the simplicity of troubleshooting or replacing. For example, if a device has a high failure rate or is difficult to replace due to rarity, it may not be the right fit for a small-sized fleet that needs to be agile and functional at all times.

3. “How much does the device cost and what are the ongoing fees?”

Often, the go-ahead to deploy new technology typically relies on the financial burden that the company will take on. So always inquire twice about this. Asking not only at the beginning of your research, but finalizing the cost and fees at the end (right before you purchase the devices). This will ensure that there are no surprises.

Somethings to remember to consider while asking about the cost are:

How expensive the hardware itself is
Whether you will require professional installation or if it is a plug-and-play device
What the monthly recurring charge (MRC) is for each vehicle
What is the training or onboarding process typically like – taking into consideration downtime to install devices or train personnel

4. “Is the ELD device easy to use?”

If a device is too complex or difficult to understand, you may find that it’s not the right fit for your team. As you need to ensure that your entire team, especially your drivers, will understand how to use it – you need to be confident in the capabilities of the device. Ensuring the device is user-friendly, easy to setup and requires minimum upkeep are only a few things to keep in mind.

Additionally, prior to buying ELD solutions, you should consider how the device will be supported. For example, asking whether it is supported with iOS and Android devices, or whether you will need to purchase specific devices to use it. For many fleet managers, cross-compatibility with adaptable ELD solutions are the most attractive.

5. “How will you ensure that the solution will remain compliant in the future?”

Since a major factor of the adoption of electronic logging devices are compliance requirements, it’s important that the device you adopt will always remain compliant. Specifically inquiring whether the solution will adapt to new regulations and whether you are satisfied with the vendor’s commitment to updating their device.

6. “What types of plans do you offer? How easy is it to switch?”

Depending on the current needs of your fleet, certain plans will be better for you. With this being said typically, there is a Base Plan that has basic GPS tracking features, a Regulatory Plan with improved data tracking, a Pro Plan that tracks engine data, and a ProPlus Plan that does all of this with 24/7 support! While it is fairly easy to upgrade in most cases, it’s important to not only clarify this but understand all features available.

Some key features to keep in mind are:

Support for ruleset and exemptions
The ability to share data with 3rd party users or backend customers
Open platform expandability and data ownership

7. “How long has your company been in business? Have you offered an AOBRD product before?”

Working with a business that is well known and experienced in the industry is critical. While some newer organizations may have an attractive price, you may find that in the future they are unable to provide the right offerings and support because of their young age. With this being said, always research and look for reviews with who you are working with so you don’t unknowingly work with a less than a reputable provider. You can also inquire about their core business offerings, how long they’ve been supporting your industry, how long they have been offering ELDs, how large their customer base is and the names of businesses they work with who are similar to yours.

Even though we only listed the seven important questions, there could be additional concerns that you need to address before buying ELD solutions. With that being said, we invite you to give us a call to talk about your fleet and your unique ELD needs. We’re confident that with our extensive knowledge of electronic logging devices, we have the experience necessary to help!

Remember while many Canadian fleets still have some time to migrate to using electronic logging devices, many American fleets should already be compliant!

HOS Relief Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Posted on March 27, 2020 | by Anna | Leave a Comment

As the concern of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to worsen, many are looking at how businesses can be provided with additional relief during this time. While there are initiatives in place to help small businesses who had to close their doors to practice social distancing and slow the spread, there is additional aid that focuses on the demand for essential supplies. Specifically, focusing on increasing the amount of supplies and equipment transported daily by waiving hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.

Below are updates in both Canada and the United States:

HOS in the United States

Earlier this month, on March 13, it was announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will adjust the HOS regulations. They will help those in the US transportation sector provide more assistance to relief efforts of the virus. Until April 12, 2020, or when the COVID-19 emergency is terminated, a FMCSA Emergency Declaration has been issued and will be in place nation-wide to suspend the hours-of-service regulations for drivers.

Prior to adjusting any processes within your fleet, make sure you familiarize yourself and your team with the Emergency Declaration as the FMCSA has specific criteria on what will allow a carrier to be eligible.

Find the Declaration here: Emergency Declaration

HOS in Canada

Similarly, Transport Canada has issued an exception to help provide COVID-19 relief to Canadian truck drivers moving essential supplies. Again, drivers who meet specific criteria will be exempt from hours-of-services requirements when carriers who are federally regulated give advance notice with specific information regarding which vehicles will be partaking in it. This waiver will be in effect from March 24, until April 30, 2020.

Again, prior to implementing any new initiatives related to HOS, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself and your team with the Essential Freight Transport Exemption. As there is specific criteria that must be met prior to being safely exempt, understanding the exemption in-full is critical.

Find the Exemption here: Essential Freight Transport Exemption

As information and plans are in constant flux during this time, we always recommend for businesses and fleet drivers to stay up-to-date with ongoing news and regulations. This will ensure that compliance is always met and teams are working efficiently.

Additional Resources To Follow:

Truckload Carriers Association: https://www.truckload.org/resources-for-covid-19/#1585236782225-d159424f-afd2

Canadian Trucking Alliance: http://cantruck.ca/covid-19/